My students in forensic science just completed an extensive lab on blood spatter analysis. During part of the lab they simulated different blood spatter patterns. I encouraged them to use their phones to take pictures of their data, with the idea that they could just insert the pictures into the final lab report. As the lab came to an end, I outlined the requirements of the lab report. I decided that they should submit their labs to me electronically. I also encouraged them to try Google docs. I have been sharing with them some of the great features of Google docs. With limited access to computers, I am unable to teach them to use Google, all I can do is show them, and encourage them to try it. Fortunately they are seniors and have some experience using word processing programs, so they transition is relatively easy to make. Those who did try it for their lab reports found it very easy to use and to share with me. Ideally, I would like students to work collaboratively with their lab partner to create one shared document.
The students who submitted their labs using Google docs, I just corrected directly in Google docs, adding comments to the lab as I assessed it. I then shared with them the comments and a highlighted rubric with their score. For the other students, I thought about uploading their labs to Google docs, but decided instead to use the comment feature in word and add highlighted comments directly to the lab. I then attached the assessed lab in an email to the student, along with the graded rubric. I offer to print the lab report for any student who wishes to have a hard copy or use it as a portfolio piece.
I found the process to be somewhat time consuming, but I think it was well worth the effort. In retrospect, having all the students submit their labs using google docs would definitely save me some time, as would collaborative lab reports. I look forward to student feedback when I return to school on Monday.
Here is a sample of some of the work submitted by students:
No comments:
Post a Comment